---
kind: "section"
citation: "29 U.S.C. § 3121"
title: "29"
title_heading: "Labor"
number: "3121"
heading: "Workforce development areas"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/29/3121"
units:
  - "Chapter 32 — Workforce Innovation and Opportunity"
  - "Subchapter I — Workforce Development Activities"
  - "Part A — System Alignment"
  - "Subpart 2 — local provisions"
---

# §3121. Workforce development areas

- (a) **Regions—**
  - (1) **Identification—** Before the second full program year after July 22, 2014, in order for a [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56) to receive an allotment under section [3162(b)](/usc/29/3162.md?p=b) or [3172(b)](/usc/29/3172.md?p=b) of this title and as part of the process for developing the [State plan](/usc/29/3102.md?p=58), a [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56) shall identify [regions](/usc/29/3102.md?p=53) in the [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56) after consultation with the [local boards](/usc/29/3102.md?p=33) and [chief elected officials](/usc/29/3102.md?p=9) in the [local areas](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) and consistent with the considerations described in [subsection (b)(1)(B)](#b-1-B).
  - (2) **Types of regions—** For purposes of this Act, the [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56) shall identify—
    - (A) which [regions](/usc/29/3102.md?p=53) are comprised of 1 [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) that is aligned with the [region](/usc/29/3102.md?p=53);
    - (B) which [regions](/usc/29/3102.md?p=53) are comprised of 2 or more [local areas](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) that are (collectively) aligned with the [region](/usc/29/3102.md?p=53) (referred to as [planning regions](/usc/29/3102.md?p=48), consistent with [section 3102 of this title](/usc/29/3102.md)); and
    - (C) which, of the [regions](/usc/29/3102.md?p=53) described in [subparagraph (B)](#a-2-B), are interstate areas contained within 2 or more [States](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56), and consist of [labor market areas](/usc/29/3102.md?p=30), economic development areas, or other appropriate contiguous subareas of those [States](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56).
- (b) **Local areas—**
  - (1) **In general—**
    - (A) **Process—** Except as provided in [subsection (d)](#d), and consistent with paragraphs [(2)](#b-2) and [(3)](#b-3), in order for a [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56) to receive an allotment under section [3162(b)](/usc/29/3162.md?p=b) or [3172(b)](/usc/29/3172.md?p=b) of this title, the [Governor](/usc/29/3102.md?p=22) of the [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56) shall designate local workforce development areas within the [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56)—
      - (i) through consultation with the [State board](/usc/29/3102.md?p=57); and
      - (ii) after consultation with [chief elected officials](/usc/29/3102.md?p=9) and [local boards](/usc/29/3102.md?p=33), and after consideration of comments received through the public comment process as described in [section 3112(b)(2)(E)(iii)(II) of this title](/usc/29/3112.md?p=b-2-E-iii-II).
    - (B) **Considerations—** The [Governor](/usc/29/3102.md?p=22) shall designate [local areas](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) (except for those [local areas](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) described in paragraphs [(2)](#b-2) and [(3)](#b-3)) based on considerations consisting of the extent to which the areas—
      - (i) are consistent with [labor market areas](/usc/29/3102.md?p=30) in the [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56);
      - (ii) are consistent with regional economic development areas in the [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56); and
      - (iii) have available the Federal and non-Federal resources necessary to effectively administer activities under part B and other applicable provisions of this Act, including whether the areas have the appropriate education and training providers, such as institutions of higher education and [area career and technical education schools](/usc/29/3102.md?p=4).
  - (2) **Initial designation—** During the first 2 full program years following July 22, 2014, the [Governor](/usc/29/3102.md?p=22) shall approve a request for initial designation as a [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) from any area that was designated as a [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) for purposes of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 for the 2-year period preceding July 22, 2014, performed successfully, and sustained fiscal integrity.
  - (3) **Subsequent designation—** After the period for which a [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) is initially designated under [paragraph (2)](#b-2), the [Governor](/usc/29/3102.md?p=22) shall approve a request for subsequent designation as a [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) from such [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32), if such area—
    - (A) performed successfully;
    - (B) sustained fiscal integrity; and
    - (C) in the case of a [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) in a [planning region](/usc/29/3102.md?p=48), met the requirements described in [subsection (c)(1)](#c-1).
  - (4) **Designation on recommendation of State board—** The [Governor](/usc/29/3102.md?p=22) may approve a request from any [unit of general local government](/usc/29/3102.md?p=62) (including a combination of such units) for designation of an area as a [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) if the [State board](/usc/29/3102.md?p=57) determines, based on the considerations described in [paragraph (1)(B)](#b-1-B), and recommends to the [Governor](/usc/29/3102.md?p=22), that such area should be so designated.
  - (5) **Areas served by rural concentrated employment programs—** The [Governor](/usc/29/3102.md?p=22) may approve, under paragraph [(2)](#b-2) or [(3)](#b-3), a request for designation as a [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) from an area described in [section 3122(c)(1)(C) of this title](/usc/29/3122.md?p=c-1-C).
  - (6) **Appeals—** A [unit of general local government](/usc/29/3102.md?p=62) (including a combination of such units) or grant recipient that requests but is not granted designation of an area as a [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) under paragraph [(2)](#b-2) or [(3)](#b-3) may submit an appeal to the [State board](/usc/29/3102.md?p=57) under an appeal process established in the [State plan](/usc/29/3102.md?p=58). If the appeal does not result in such a designation, the Secretary of Labor, after receiving a request for review from the unit or grant recipient and on determining that the unit or grant recipient was not accorded procedural rights under the appeals process described in the [State plan](/usc/29/3102.md?p=58), as specified in [section 3112(b)(2)(D)(i)(III) of this title](/usc/29/3112.md?p=b-2-D-i-III), or that the area meets the requirements of paragraph [(2)](#b-2) or [(3)](#b-3), may require that the area be designated as a [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) under such paragraph.
  - (7) **Redesignation assistance—** On the request of all of the [local areas](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) in a [planning region](/usc/29/3102.md?p=48), the [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56) shall provide funding from funds made available under sections [3163(a)](/usc/29/3163.md?p=a) and [3173(a)(1)](/usc/29/3173.md?p=a-1) of this title to assist the [local areas](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) in carrying out activities to facilitate the redesignation of the [local areas](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) to a single [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32).
- (c) **Regional coordination—**
  - (1) **Regional planning—** The [local boards](/usc/29/3102.md?p=33) and [chief elected officials](/usc/29/3102.md?p=9) in each [planning region](/usc/29/3102.md?p=48) described in subparagraph [(B)](#a-2-B) or [(C)](#a-2-C) of subsection (a)(2) shall engage in a regional planning process that results in—
    - (A) the preparation of a regional plan, as described in [paragraph (2)](#c-2);
    - (B) the establishment of regional service strategies, including use of cooperative service delivery agreements;
    - (C) the development and implementation of sector initiatives for in-demand industry sectors or occupations for the [region](/usc/29/3102.md?p=53);
    - (D) the collection and analysis of regional labor market data (in conjunction with the [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56));
    - (E) the establishment of administrative cost arrangements, including the pooling of funds for [administrative costs](/usc/29/3102.md?p=1), as appropriate, for the [region](/usc/29/3102.md?p=53);
    - (F) the coordination of transportation and other [supportive services](/usc/29/3102.md?p=59), as appropriate, for the [region](/usc/29/3102.md?p=53);
    - (G) the coordination of services with regional economic development services and providers; and
    - (H) the establishment of an agreement concerning how the [planning region](/usc/29/3102.md?p=48) will collectively negotiate and reach agreement with [Governor](/usc/29/3102.md?p=22)[^1] on local levels of performance for, and report on, the performance accountability measures described in [section 3141(c) of this title](/usc/29/3141.md?p=c), for [local areas](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) or the [planning region](/usc/29/3102.md?p=48).
  - (2) **Regional plans—** The [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56), after consultation with [local boards](/usc/29/3102.md?p=33) and [chief elected officials](/usc/29/3102.md?p=9) for the [planning regions](/usc/29/3102.md?p=48), shall require the [local boards](/usc/29/3102.md?p=33) and [chief elected officials](/usc/29/3102.md?p=9) within a [planning region](/usc/29/3102.md?p=48) to prepare, submit, and obtain approval of a single regional plan that includes a description of the activities described in [paragraph (1)](#c-1) and that incorporates [local plans](/usc/29/3102.md?p=35) for each of the [local areas](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) in the [planning region](/usc/29/3102.md?p=48). The [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56) shall provide technical assistance and labor market data, as requested by [local areas](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32), to assist with such regional planning and subsequent service delivery efforts.
  - (3) **References—** In this Act, and the [core program provisions](/usc/29/3102.md?p=13) that are not in this Act:
    - (A) **Local area—** Except as provided in [section 3111(d)(9) of this title](/usc/29/3111.md?p=d-9), this section, paragraph (1)(B) or (4) of [section 3122(c) of this title](/usc/29/3122.md?p=c), or [section 3122(d)(12)(B) of this title](/usc/29/3122.md?p=d-12-B), or in any text that provides an accompanying provision specifically for a [planning region](/usc/29/3102.md?p=48), the term “[local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32)” in a provision includes a reference to a [planning region](/usc/29/3102.md?p=48) for purposes of implementation of that provision by the corresponding [local areas](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) in the [region](/usc/29/3102.md?p=53).
    - (B) **Local plan—** Except as provided in this subsection, the term “[local plan](/usc/29/3102.md?p=35)” includes a reference to the portion of a regional plan developed with respect to the corresponding [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) within the [region](/usc/29/3102.md?p=53), and any regionwide provision of that plan that impacts or relates to the [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32).
- (d) **Single State local areas—**
  - (1) **Continuation of previous designation—** The [Governor](/usc/29/3102.md?p=22) of any [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56) that was a single [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56) [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) for purposes of title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, as in effect on July 1, 2013, may designate the [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56) as a single [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56) [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) for purposes of this subchapter. In the case of such designation, the [Governor](/usc/29/3102.md?p=22) shall identify the [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56) as a [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) in the [State plan](/usc/29/3102.md?p=58).
  - (2) **Effect on local plan and local functions—** In any case in which a [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56) is designated as a [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) pursuant to this subsection, the [local plan](/usc/29/3102.md?p=35) prepared under [section 3123 of this title](/usc/29/3123.md) for the area shall be submitted for approval as part of the [State plan](/usc/29/3102.md?p=58). In such a [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56), the [State board](/usc/29/3102.md?p=57) shall carry out the functions of a [local board](/usc/29/3102.md?p=33), as specified in this Act or the provisions authorizing a core program, but the [State](/usc/29/3102.md?p=56) shall not be required to meet and report on a set of local performance accountability measures.
- (e) **Definitions—** For purposes of this section:
  - (1) **Performed successfully—** The term “performed successfully”, used with respect to a [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32), means the [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32) met or exceeded the adjusted levels of performance for primary indicators of performance described in [section 3141(b)(2)(A) of this title](/usc/29/3141.md?p=b-2-A) (or, if applicable, core indicators of performance described in section 136(b)(2)(A) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 [[29 U.S.C. 2871(b)(2)(A)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(/us/usc/t29/s2871/b/2/A))], as in effect the day before July 22, 2014) for each of the last 2 consecutive years for which data are available preceding the determination of performance under this paragraph.
  - (2) **Sustained fiscal integrity—** The term “sustained fiscal integrity”, used with respect to a [local area](/usc/29/3102.md?p=32), means that the Secretary has not made a formal determination, during either of the last 2 consecutive years preceding the determination regarding such integrity, that either the grant recipient or the administrative entity of the area misexpended funds provided under part B (or, if applicable, title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 as in effect prior to the effective date of such part B) due to willful disregard of the requirements of the provision involved, gross negligence, or failure to comply with accepted standards of administration.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 113–128, title I, § 106, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1452; Pub. L. 114–18, § 2(a)(1), May 22, 2015, 129 Stat. 213.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2), (b)(1)(B)(iii), (c)(3), and (d)(2), is Pub. L. 113–128, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1425, known as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which enacted this chapter, repealed chapter 30 (§ 2801 et seq.) of this title and chapter 73 (§ 9201 et seq.) of Title 20, Education, and made amendments to numerous other sections and notes in the Code. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3101 of this title and Tables.

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998, referred to in subsecs. (b)(2), (d)(1), and (e)(2), is Pub. L. 105–220, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 936, and was repealed by Pub. L. 113–128, title V, §§ 506, 511(a), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1703, 1705, effective July 1, 2015. Title I of the Act was classified principally to chapter 30 (§ 2801 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

The effective date of such part B, referred to in subsec. (e)(2), is the first day of the first full program year after July 22, 2014 [probably July 1, 2015], see section 506 of Pub. L. 113–128, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3101 of this title.

### Amendments

2015—Subsec. (b)(5) to (7). Pub. L. 114–18 added par. (5) and redesignated former pars. (5) and (6) as (6) and (7), respectively.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–18 effective as if included in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act [Pub. L. 113–128], see § 2(f) of Pub. L. 114–18, set out as a note under section 3112 of this title.

### Effective Date

Section effective on the first day of the first full program year after July 22, 2014 (July 1, 2015), see section 506 of Pub. L. 113–128, set out as a note under section 3101 of this title.